Method and device for transforming chemical compositions

• US 6,214,195 B1
• Filed: 10/02/1998
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PPG Industries Ohio Incorporated (Nouryon BV)
• Original Assignee: Nanomaterials Research Corp.
• Inventors: Yadav, Tapesh, Meramadi, Bijan
• Primary Examiner(s): Wong, Edna
• Application Number:
  US09/165,439
• Time in Patent Office: 921 Days
• Field of Search: 204/157.15, 204/265, 204/274, 204/278, 205/334, 205/413, 205/464, 205/637, 205/555
• US Class Current: 205/334
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/32 by electrical effects other than those provided for in group B01D61/00
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/86 Catalytic processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/087 employing electric or magnetic energy
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0807 involving electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 8/02 with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 17/78 characterised by the catalyst used
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 21/265 characterised by the catalyst
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/1041 Composition of the catalyst
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/1047 Group VIII metal catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/1052 Nickel or cobalt catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/1064 Platinum group metal catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/1076 Copper or zinc-based catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/1082 Composition of support materials
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 2203/1094 Promotors or activators
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/16 using catalysts
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/323 Catalytic reaction of gaseous or liquid organic compounds other than hydrocarbons with gasifying agents
• CPC Class Codes: C01B 3/326 characterised by the catalyst
• CPC Class Codes: C01C 1/0411 characterised by the catalyst
• CPC Class Codes: C01C 1/0482 Process control; Start-up or cooling-down procedures
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 20/52 using catalysts, e.g. selective catalysts

Abstract

Methods and devices for transforming less desirable chemical species into more desirable or useful chemical forms are disclosed. The specifications can be used to treat pollutants into more benign compositions and to produce useful chemicals from raw materials and wastes. The methods and devices disclosed utilize electrical current induced by electromagnetic field and high surface area formulations. The invention can also be applied to improve the performance of existing catalysts and to prepare novel devices.

Claims

1. A method of transforming a chemical composition comprising:

providing a source of hydrogen containing compound;

providing a quantity of catalyst with interface area greater than 1 square centimeter per gram;

exposing the hydrogen containing compound to the quantity of catalyst; and

providing a flow of current in the quantity of catalyst by applying an electromagnetic field across the quantity of catalyst during the exposure to the hydrogen containing compound to transform the hydrogen containing compound into hydrogen.

2.The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a flow of current comprises applying a voltage across the quantity of catalyst.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the catalyst comprises one or more nanopowders.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrogen containing compound comprises methanol and the exposing step occurs at an operating temperature less than or equal to ignition temperature of methanol.

4. The method of claim 4, wherein the hydrogen containing compound comprises methanol and the operating temperature is less than about 250°

C.

5. A method of chemical transformation of a feed composition into a product composition wherein the feed composition comprises a hydrogen containing compound and the product composition comprises molecular hydrogen, the method comprising the steps of:

providing at least one electrode;

providing a selected substance with interface area greater than 1 square centimeter per gram;

coupling the selected substance electrically to the at least one electrode;

exposing the selected substance to the feed composition; and

causing current to flow from the at least one electrode through the selected substance to cause the selected substance to catalyze the transformation of the feed composition into the product composition.

6. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of causing the current to flow further comprises applying a voltage across the selected substance using the at least one electrode to create an electrical current in the selected substance.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the substance comprises a nanopowder.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the hydrogen containing compound comprises hydrocarbon and the step of causing the selected substance to catalyze the transformation of the feed composition into the product composition occurs at operating temperature less than or equal to ignition temperature of the feed composition.

9. The method of claim 9, wherein the hydrogen containing compound comprises methanol and the operating temperature is less than 250°

C.

10. A method of producing at least one useful substance comprising molecular hydrogen from raw materials comprising a hydrogen containing compound, the method comprising:

providing a catalyzing substance in an electrical circuit;

exposing the raw materials to the catalyzing substance; and

causing a current to flow in the catalyzing substance by applying an electromagnetic field across the catalyzing substance using said electrical circuit while the raw materials catalyze into the at least one useful substance.

11. The method of claim 11, wherein the raw materials further comprise an organic compound.

12. The method of claim 12, wherein the catalyzing substance has an operating temperature less than or equal to ignition temperature of the raw material.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the current is an electrical current from applied voltage across the catalyzing substance.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the electrical power to the catalyzing substance is less than 15 Watts per gram of catalyzing substance.

15. A method of producing a useful substance from raw materials comprising a carbon containing compound, the method comprising the acts of:

providing a catalyzing substance in an electrical circuit;

exposing the raw materials to the catalyzing substance; and

causing a current to flow in the catalyzing substance by applying an electric, magnetic field across the catalyzing substance using said electrical circuit while the raw materials catalyze into the useful substance.

16. A method of producing a useful substance from raw materials comprising a nitrogen containing compound the method comprising the acts of:

providing a catalyzing substance in an electrical circuit;

exposing the raw materials to the catalyzing substance; and

causing a current to flow in the catalyzing substance by applying an electromagnetic field across the catalyzing substance using said electrical circuit while the raw materials catalyze into the useful substance.

17. A method of producing a useful substance from raw materials comprising a oxygen containing compound, the method comprising the acts of:

providing a catalyzing substance in an electrical circuit;

exposing the raw materials to the catalyzing substance; and

causing a current to flow in the catalyzing substance by applying an electromagnetic field across the catalyzing substance using said electrical circuit while the ran materials catalyze into the useful substance.